As career distress becomes increasingly prevalent among young adults (ages 18–25), it is crucial—yet still insufficiently understood—to explore how future work self salience may help alleviate such distress. Guided by goal-setting theory, this longitudinal study examines the mechanisms through which future work self salience influences career distress. Drawing on two-wave data from 524 college students, structural equation modeling indicated that future work self salience was negatively associated with career distress, with goal engagement mediating this relationship. Furthermore, calling motivation moderated both the direct effect of future work self salience on goal engagement and the indirect effect on career distress via goal engagement. Specifically, the positive link between future work self salience and goal engagement—and its subsequent alleviating effect on career distress—was stronger for individuals with higher levels of calling motivation. This study provides longitudinal evidence for a motivational pathway linking future-oriented self-concepts to reduced career distress, offering practical implications for personalized career interventions.
Xu et al. (2025) studied this question.